Josh Fattal

Josh Fattal News

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting Oman today to thank the Gulf state’s ruler for his role in securing the release of three American hikers jailed by Iran, and to discuss efforts to meet demands for greater economic and political freedoms in the sultanate.

Two U.S. nationals held in Iran on charges of espionage and illegal entry were released from prison and arrived in Oman, where they were met by family members who had worked for their release for more than two years.

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal emerged from 781 days in a 104-square-foot Iranian prison cell leaner, fitter and with Hollywood actor Sean Penn and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez among those to thank for their release.

The release of two U.S. nationals detained by Iran on espionage charges was delayed by the judiciary in a blow to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who had announced their release before his trip to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Two U.S. nationals detained in Iran for two years on illegal entry and espionage charges have been sentenced to eight years in jail, Iranian Students News Agency reported, citing the prosecutor in the case.

Two Americans given eight-year prison sentences for spying and entering Iran illegally will be released “in two days,” the country’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, NBC reported, citing a one-on-one interview due to be broadcast today.